WAIA Leads Successful Shenzhen–Hong Kong AIoT Innovation Study Tour, Accelerating the Development of New-Quality Productive Forces in the Greater Bay Area

Hong Kong, June 4, 2026 – The Shenzhen–Hong Kong AIoT Innovation Integration Study Tour, jointly organized by the World AIoT Innovation Alliance (WAIA), the Shenzhen Internet of Things Industry Association, and the Hong Kong Internet of Things Alliance, concluded successfully in Hong Kong.

Focusing on innovation-driven learning, technology exploration, and industry–academia–research collaboration, the program brought together a delegation of 20 leading IoT enterprises from Shenzhen for an intensive study tour in Hong Kong. Through immersive activities including exhibition visits, government and industry exchanges, in-depth visits to world-class research institutions, and specialized technology seminars, the initiative aimed to help participating companies benchmark against international innovation leaders, broaden their technological perspectives, strengthen R&D capabilities, and foster deeper collaboration within the Greater Bay Area’s AIoT ecosystem.

Exploring International Innovation Opportunities Through Hong Kong’s Global Connectivity

Leveraging Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and business hub, the study tour was carefully designed to uncover new opportunities for Shenzhen–Hong Kong industrial collaboration.

In the morning, the delegation visited the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to attend AI+Power 2026 Hong Kong Technology Expo. As one of Hong Kong’s premier platforms for commercial AI and industrial innovation, the exhibition focused on transformative artificial intelligence and its integration with smart energy and IoT applications.

To maximize learning outcomes, organizers curated a customized exhibition route tailored to the participating companies’ business interests. Delegates visited leading exhibitors in semiconductor development, industrial IoT, energy storage networking, and smart grid technologies. More than ten Shenzhen enterprises engaged in one-on-one business discussions with international technology providers, exploring opportunities in overseas market expansion, technology adoption, and project collaboration. Several preliminary cooperation intentions were reached, helping local IoT companies connect with cutting-edge technologies and global market resources.

Strengthening Cross-Border Innovation Through Government Engagement

As part of the study tour, the delegation held a dedicated investment and business environment exchange with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK).

During the session, Ms. Carmen Kwok, Senior Vice President of Digital Technology and Data Infrastructure at InvestHK, introduced Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem and investment support framework. She highlighted that InvestHK operates a global network of offices in more than 30 key cities worldwide and provides comprehensive, free-of-charge support services for technology enterprises, including market entry planning, government liaison, business establishment assistance, and branding support.

Hong Kong is currently prioritizing strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, industrial IoT, carbon neutrality, and innovation finance. Combined with its competitive tax regime, talent attraction policies, and development opportunities within the Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, the city offers strong support for mainland enterprises seeking to establish regional headquarters, R&D centers, and international business operations.

The exchange provided participating enterprises with valuable insights into Hong Kong’s policy landscape and practical pathways for cross-border expansion, helping to reduce information barriers and facilitate future market entry.

Connecting Industry with World-Class Research Institutions

In the afternoon, the delegation visited two of Hong Kong’s leading research organizations: the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and the AI Chip Center for Emerging Smart Systems (ACCESS).

Established through collaboration between the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Stanford University, and other renowned institutions, ACCESS is one of Asia’s leading AI chip research platforms. The center focuses on next-generation semiconductor technologies, AI chip architecture, performance optimization, and energy efficiency improvements.

During the visit, enterprise representatives toured advanced laboratories and prototype demonstrations while engaging in technical discussions on emerging topics such as computing-in-memory technologies and AI chip design. The exchange explored new opportunities for collaborative innovation between industry and research institutions.

Advancing Standards Development and Technology Commercialization

The delegation also visited ASTRI, Hong Kong’s largest government-funded R&D organization and a key facilitator of innovation collaboration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

ASTRI’s research portfolio spans smart cities, intelligent manufacturing, fintech, and other critical IoT-related fields. The institute also maintains a presence within the Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, serving as an important bridge between research and industry.

During discussions with ASTRI’s senior researchers, delegates gained insights into the institute’s latest technological developments and commercialization achievements. The two sides also exchanged views on industry standardization initiatives, including collaborative IoT standards projects and the ongoing development of Greater Bay Area standards, laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation in standards development and technology transfer.

Building a More Connected AIoT Ecosystem Across the Greater Bay Area

Guided by the practical needs of enterprises, the Shenzhen–Hong Kong AIoT Innovation Integration Study Tour successfully connected three key pillars of innovation development: exhibitions, government engagement, and scientific research.

By facilitating technology exchange, resource sharing, commercialization opportunities, and market expansion, the program fully leveraged Shenzhen’s strengths in industrial manufacturing and innovation alongside Hong Kong’s advantages in international connectivity, scientific research, and financial services. The initiative demonstrated the strong potential for complementary development and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two cities.

Looking ahead, WAIA and the Shenzhen Internet of Things Industry Association will continue to support the strategic development of the Greater Bay Area by creating innovative cross-border collaboration mechanisms and strengthening the flow of technology, capital, and market resources.

Through regular study tours, business matching programs, and industry exchange activities, the organizations remain committed to deepening collaboration across the AIoT ecosystem and contributing to the high-quality development of the digital economy and IoT industry throughout the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.